Lindenwood’s Division I Transition: What does Head Coach Kyle Gerdeman have to say?

Impact on players

The 2022-23 Lindenwood University squad will soon begin their eight-week mandatory summer session, something that will change from division II’s voluntary workouts. Though the move up to the Ohio Valley is certainly exciting, Coach Gerdeman knows that the excitement might soon wear off once the workload increases for players.

Still, Coach Gerdeman made it a point to recall some of the program’s players that have come and gone and are now playing overseas, and professional opportunities like playing in a foreign country certainly are aided with the division I status to a player’s name. Speaking of such opportunities, per the NCAA rules, Division I teams have the capability to play on an overseas tour every four years.

This could loom large for the Lions as they will have the capability to make the schedule attractive to potential recruits. Gerdeman explains, “Trips at the DII level were limited.” Now, the Lions have the unique opportunity to play ball in other destinations. With this in mind, Gerdeman was quick to point out that he wanted his student-athletes to enjoy the full experience, with the team potentially sticking around an extra day for some sightseeing.

All of this will go into the preparation as the school makes the transition, but for Gerdeman and company, lessons can be learned from scrimmages against higher-level competition. Gerdeman’s time at both Southeast Missouri State, a fellow OVC member, and Central Michigan has opened his eyes to the fact that managing players both mentally and physically throughout the long season, is of the highest priority.

Juggling the players’ new offseason schedule and a rigorous 18-game conference slate might seem overwhelming, but for the Lindenwood Lions coaching staff, they have experienced a transition before, and that history is sure to be helpful moving forward.